A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Minneapolis vs. Rapid City for Attractions, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Minneapolis or Rapid City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minneapolis or Rapid City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a innovative, diverse, and dynamic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Minneapolis travel costs.

Rapid City

Rapid City is a activity-filled, friendly, and fascinating city. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Rapid City travel costs.

Minneapolis and Rapid City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Minneapolis or Rapid City?

You'll generally find more things to do in Minneapolis than Rapid City. Minneapolis is bigger than Rapid City, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Minneapolis is better known for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Rapid City is more popular for its museums and attractions and hiking. Rapid City is more touristy than Minneapolis and is known for its proximity to Mount Rushmore and many other iconic parks. Minneapolis is well known for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. Also, Minneapolis is famous for Mall of America.

How is Minneapolis different from Rapid City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rapid City and Minneapolis. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Minneapolis or Rapid City?

Rapid City is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Rapid City are world-renowned. You'll find a wide variety of museums and landmarks nearby. Popular places to visit that aren't far from town include the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, the South Dakota Air & Space Museum, and the Journey Museum & Learning Center. There's also the Museum of Geology and the National Presidential Wax Museum. And of course, there's the iconic Mount Rushmore.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Minneapolis. There's a wide variety of museums that include art, history, science, and local culture. Some of the favorite museums in the city are the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman Art Museum.

Is the Food Better in Minneapolis or Rapid City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Minneapolis is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Rapid City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Minneapolis has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Dishes in the Midwest are known for being hearty comfort foods, and the food in Minneapolis is no exception. You'll find cheese-stuffed burgers that are known as Juicy Lucys, Tator Tot casseroles, and deep-fried cheese curds. For international food, there's a variety of Scandinavian options around town.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Rapid City area. You'll find local restaurants in town that serve local specialties such as chislic (grilled meat), fry bread, and walleye (a local fish.

Is Minneapolis or Rapid City Better for Nightlife?

Minneapolis is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Rapid City is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

Minneapolis has a large number of nightlife venues. There are diverse neighborhoods that each have their own personality. You'll find rooftop lounges in Uptown, international venues in Whittier, and trendy bars in the North Loop. But at the heart of the city's nightlife scene is Downtown Minneapolis.

Rapid City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. You'll find some places with live music and good drinks, but the city isn't really known for its nightlife scene.

Is Minneapolis or Rapid City Better for Hiking?

Rapid City is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Rapid City. The region is filled with national parks, state parks, and natural areas with wonderful hiking trails. You don't have to travel far to get into nature and experience some of South Dakota's best natural beauty.

Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Minneapolis or Rapid City?

Minneapolis is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rapid City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Minneapolis draws large crowds to its stores. Known for the megamall, Mall of America, this is a shopper's paradise. Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the country and it even has an aquarium and a theme park within it. In addition to this iconic shopping mall, Minneapolis also has many shopping districts including the Minnehaha Mile.

Many visitors go to Rapid City to go shopping. Rapid City has some interesting local shops as well as larger malls and shopping centers.

Is Minneapolis or Rapid City Better for Families?

Rapid City is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Rapid City is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Nearby national parks and outdoor activities, this is the perfect base for exploring the area with kids. Nearby you'll find the Big Thunder Gold Mine, which has tours and lets you pan for gold, and Custer State Park, which is filled with wildlife. Wall Drug is worth a stopoff, as is Dinosaur Park.

Minneapolis is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Mall of America is at the top of the list for most families, but there's also plenty of kid-friendly museums around town as well as nature centers, parks, and playgrounds. There's the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Zoo, and Afton Apple Orchard. For museums, kids will love the Minnesota Children's Museum or the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Is Minneapolis or Rapid City Better for Couples?

Rapid City is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Rapid City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy the amazing national parks in the area and the easy access to iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore. There are many opportunities for wildlife spotting as well as great hiking trails and unique landscapes.

Minneapolis is a good city for couples to visit. There are beautiful parks and outdoor spaces to explore as well as museums and fine dining. Couples will appreciate stopping by the Stone Arch Bridge or wandering through the Lyndale Park Rose Garden.

Is Minneapolis or Rapid City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rapid City is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Minneapolis is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Rapid City. Backpackers will appreciate the surrounding natural beauty and the nearby national parks.

Minneapolis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not a popular destination for backpackers, there is at least one hostel in town.

Is Minneapolis or Rapid City Better for Students?

Minneapolis is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Rapid City is not popular with students.

Minneapolis is very popular with students. There are a number of colleges and universities in the area including the University of Minnesota. The city is known for its academic and intellectual focus, and students will enjoy being challenged educationally while enjoying a dynamic city.

Rapid City is not popular with students.

Is Minneapolis or Rapid City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Minneapolis is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Rapid City is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Minneapolis has some public transit options. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Rapid City. While there are a few buses, this isn't a realistic option for traveling through the region.

Is Minneapolis or Rapid City a more walkable city?

Minneapolis is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Rapid City is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

Minneapolis is a somewhat walkable place. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.

Rapid City is generally not very walkable. While the downtown is walkable, most visitors use the city as a base for exploring the surrounding areas, and this requires a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Minneapolis Worth Visiting? and Is Rapid City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rapid City or Minneapolis?

How long in Minneapolis or Rapid City?

It's fun to spend time in either Minneapolis or Rapid City. In our opinion, Minneapolis has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Minneapolis than Rapid City. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Rapid City than Minneapolis. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rapid City, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Rapid City than Minneapolis. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rapid City that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Minneapolis or Rapid City?

With museums and nightlife around the diverse city of Minneapolis, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the friendly city of Rapid City. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the museums. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Minneapolis or Rapid City?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Minneapolis, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the activity-filled destination of Rapid City. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Minneapolis or Rapid City?

Minneapolis, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The friendly city of Rapid City offers museums and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Minneapolis or Rapid City?

Minneapolis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Rapid City. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the museums. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Minneapolis and Rapid City, we can see that Minneapolis is more expensive. And not only is Rapid City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rapid City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rapid City and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Minneapolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Minneapolis than you might in Rapid City.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Minneapolis Expensive? and Is Rapid City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Minneapolis or Rapid City?

Minneapolis has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Rapid City. When comparing the sizes of Minneapolis and Rapid City, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.